Women as Sexual Objects - Both in Biblical and Modern Society

Modern day media is everywhere, making it impossible to avoid. It is present in every part of our daily lives, influencing both our behaviour and our mind-set. Advertising has become one of the most important and widely used methods of media in today’s marketplace, a way for companies to communicate with potential customers. It affects our perception, thoughts and preferences, and our cultural values become almost defined by it.

Although modern society may have seen an increase in the number of women now achieving both high powered and high ranking jobs in areas such as commerce, politics, and industry, thereby becoming role models for girls everywhere, unfortunately the media, it seems, is still intent on portraying women as sexual objects, i.e. page three girls, scantily clad video game heroines, and the ever visible cleavage of many female actresses, both on cinema and television.

The continuing development and expansion of the internet and mobile phone industries have proved only to aid this sexual portrayal, with young girls performing sexual acts, whilst being recorded, and then posting them to the web, or sending revealing photographs of themselves via messages on their phones to anyone who wants them. Aggressive advertising campaigns, new fashion trends, and the increase in both alcohol and drug consumption have all led to many young women fully embracing this role of sexual object and plaything.

And it seems from what we read in certain Biblical passages, for example Genesis 34 and 38, and 2 Samuel 13,that women have throughout time always been used and abused by men, and then in the main been cast aside when their usefulness sexually has ended.

Is there any justification for the actions of men who treat women merely as sexual objects, who are the real victims, and is it their nature or society which has led them to be the way they are?

The Old Testament Patriarchal System

The patriarchal system of the Old Testament society seems to have regarded women as being insignificant, viewed merely as equivalent to any other piece of property (Exodus 20:17). The term ‘patriarchy’ refers to the system, derived from Greek and Roman law, which allowed for male domination within society, whereby they had absolute legal and economic power over their female dependants. As Marsh (2000:95) describes it - “It encapsulates the mechanisms, ideologies and social structures which have enabled men historically to gain and maintain their dominance and control over women.” It was a system which presented the idea of male superiority, giving them complete control over women.

Genesis 34 – Shechem and Dinah

Genesis 34 details the rape of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, by Shechem the Hivite prince, and the subsequent disproportionate revenge her brothers take.

As Parry (2000:1) states many feminist critics have interpreted the Biblical texts with suspicion, considering them as both patriarchal and androcentric, and thereby harmful to women. It appears from this narrative that they may well be right as very little emphasis was put on the actual crime with only one verse used to describe it (34:2), while the remaining twenty nine verses describe how, after Shechem asked Dinah to marry him, her brothers plotted their revenge.

Rape was not viewed in the same way in Biblical times as it is now, however Dinah had been defiled, and therefore her options became very limited. Under the laws set out in Deuteronomy 22 relating to sexual relationships, verses 28-29 clearly protect the woman from destitution – with the man’s punishment being that he must marry the woman who he has had sexual relations with, and that he could never divorce her, thereby at least providing for her material needs.

This story, which undoubtedly appears to be written from a male perspective, does not however hold Dinah responsible for these events. Although some have tried to interpret the words ‘went out to visit’ in...

...Are the ancient biblical stories and the myths of the Greeks irredeemably male oriented? All ancient societies treated women as the inferior gender. It has been historically shown that in the ancient world, men were the leaders, heroes, and kings, and women served primarily as companions, helpers, and child-bearers. In the Old Testament and throughout ancient Greek literature, there is a constant theme of male superiority that cannot be ignored. Men did not believe that women were capable of existing as anything other than the typical “housewife;” it was unthinkable that a woman would actually need an education, let alone earn a living. Rarely was a woman seen doing anything but being dominated by males in some form, whether she was a man’s sexualobject, a submissively devoted wife, or a woman being punished for doing what she believed was right. Women had no identities of their own; in every action, they were presided over by a stronger male counterpart. Because female characters lacked power and existed primarily to provide men with companionship and support, ancient Greek and biblical stories can be described as irredeemably male oriented. A woman’s primary role in ancient times was to serve as a companion to a male figure. The most common form of this companionship was as a wife. God created “the woman” because “It is not good for the human to...

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Traditional Roles of Women in Religion and the Challenges Imposed by ModernSociety
A man is incomplete without a woman, and a woman is incomplete without a man. These two species work together to keep the cycle of life going. One cannot function without the other but one is also different from the other. Religion has divided and has helped men and women understand their duties and responsibilities. There is a great deal of balance between these roles. According to all three religious traditions, women are responsible for maintaining the home while the men work to provide financial stability to the family. This ideology has been regarded as “sexist” in modernsociety. In today’s age, society demands equality for both men and women, politically and economically. This “feminist” theory has led to the rejection of traditional roles of women laid out in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. If not rejection all together, it has definitely posed challenges for women of these faiths to keep up with their traditions. In most of these religions, women are discouraged from taking on roles of religious leadership but even the religions have been giving thought on altering their ideologies to accommodate feminism. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share a commonality by describing the role of a...

...Modernsociety which is very complex and often contradictory has its origin in the ancient times as far back as 4000 years ago. Deeply rooted in spirituality, yet having equal attraction towards materialism, sometimes leading to unethical behaviour, inclination and commitment towards science, logic and reason, yet superstitious practices are rampant.
Untouchability has been constitutionally abolished and caste and community based discrimination banned, its practice is common and it is a major tool of vote-bank politics in India. Thus, Indian society presents a contradictory picture and can be seen in the perspective of a society in the process of continued change or flux.
Social change is a broader term which implies change in infrastructure, facilities and their distribution, change in thought, attitude and behaviour of the people, change in faith, culture, tradition and living styles, etc. Change is a natural inevitable process which continues in every age and will continue to happen even in future. Social infrastructure, cultural, attitudinal and behavioural changes do not remain static.
They continuously change with the passage of time. It is the result of this natural process of change that life underwent sea change from the Stone Age to the Computer Age. Social change basically constitutes a transformation at all level of thought, behaviour and action that does not presuppose either a strict positive or negative...

...The roles of women in the modernsociety
* in family:
Women have a very different role in family and society. In modern life, the role of woman is more and more respective. In of which, we cannot deny the role of women with the maternity of being wife and mother.
Women have still spent more time for family. They love, care for their husband as well as their children and create house which is welcoming and comforting for others in their family. Although in modernsociety, specially, in modern west countries, it is not always important with the married women, they encourage a positive relationship between father and children.
* in society:
In the past, woman was only a housewife. They had a little to show the ability and affirm their role in society, eventually, they had not right to vote. It was the responsibility of man. However, women are now equal to men. They have more power, more freedom and actually have a voice in what they do or what they want to do. They have the right to get a job, vote their ability for society without only staying home, cooking cleaning and raising children.
Many women become famous by their contribution and high position in governmental system like Hillary Rodham...

...The role of modernwomen in both The Goddess and Naomi is thought provoking in relation to the status of women in the Chinese society. Both these movies demonstrate how often women are objectified based on superficial standards and placed on different pedestals because of aesthetics. Because of this objectification, the true definition of a modern woman is often blurred, and subjectified to false connotations, where the ideals are incorrect, often to please a male oriented society, where the opinions of people around are more valued than those of an individual.
In the Goddess, a young woman who sacrifices her life for the welfare of her son, and succumbs to the life of prostitution against her own will is disgraced in the society because of her choices. Even though she has no control over it, she is out casted, living under the mercy of a gambler who blackmails her for the sake of her son.
On the other hand, in the movie Naomi, we see a man’s obsession to find the perfect “modern” girl. He satisfies his desires in the form a 15-year-old girl naive Naomi, who is more than eager to be his pupil. He aspires for her to dress western, speak fluent English and appreciates the art of dancing, fashion magazines and cinema. Soon, she manipulates him to be her puppet, fulfilling her desires through his bank account.
The movies...

...when the Renaissance celebration of all humanity switched its focus to the rich, self-centered privileged class who could afford to sponsor artists to immortalize their opulent life-style. The wealthy also were patrons to artists who depicted both religious and secular scenes with great motion, light, and sensuality. Today, you can see the Baroque influence in the ornate curlicues around the doors of old buildings and antique picture frames, and even in the string quartets and chamber groups that play at formal weddings and parties.
As is usually the case, the art, music, and writing of the Baroque reflect the world in which they were created. The Baroque period was one of great turmoil, particularly in two intertwined areas: politics and religion. For instance, Elizabeth I, England’s Protestant queen, was busy fighting Phillip II, Spain’s Catholic king. You can get a sense of the Queen’s wealth and power just by looking at this portrait of hers. When the Queen’s navy defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, it was considered a religious as well as a political victory. Meanwhile, both countries’ explorers were competing for land with the French in the New World. In 1643, France’s King Louis XIV joined the race for wealth and power in both Europe and the New World. Again as you can see the King’s clothing and manner reflect the opulence that was so highly regarded during the Baroque.
Europe’s conflicts were compounded by...

...Woman's Role in the 1950s
The role of women in the 1950 was repressive and constrictive in many ways. Society placed high importance and many expectations on behavior at home as well as in public. Women were supposed to fulfill certain roles,
Such as a caring mother, a diligent homemaker, and an obedient wife. The perfect mother was supposed to stay home and nurture so society would accept them. A diligent housewife had dinner on the table precisely at the moment her husband arrived from work. A wife was a "good" wife only if she carried out her man's every order and agreed with him on everything. In fact, even if she wanted to voice an opinion, he education, or rather lack of thereof would not allow it. Another reference is the 1950's American High School Home Economics textbook. An essay found in the book is entitled "How to be a Good Wife." The television shows aired at this time reflect the publics need for stability and conformity. The main character of the most watched show at the time, I Love Lucy, portrayed a woman as the stereotypical woman-in-distress, who always needed her husband, the man, to bail her out. She also was symbolic of the inept woman: the "woman driver," the "over-spender" who cannot budget, and the basic downfall of man.
Pleasantville's Betty was an appropriate example of a 50's mother. Following is an excerpt that applies to motherhood. Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash...